5 Myths About Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia, which millions of Americans suffer from, is a chronic condition that causes widespread aches, pains, and tenderness. Yet despite how common it is, fibromyalgia is still widely misunderstood, which means many people who have the condition may delay or even avoid seeking treatment.

At Advanced Medical Care, Marina Neystat, MD, Maria Dolgovina, MD, Ivan Mikolaenko, MD,  and Mikhail Kapchits, MD, help patients manage fibromyalgia symptoms to improve their health and quality of life. In this post, the team reviews five of the most common myths that might be preventing you from seeking the care you need to feel better.

1. Myth: Fibromyalgia is not a real medical condition

One of the most frustrating myths surrounding fibromyalgia is that patients imagine the symptoms or that it's all in their mind. In reality, fibromyalgia is a medical condition with its roots in the central nervous system. 

Specifically, fibromyalgia causes the brain and spinal cord to process pain differently, which means people with the disorder are more sensitive to triggers or stimuli that wouldn't typically cause discomfort. 

Though researchers aren’t sure why fibromyalgia happens, they do know that it's not just in your mind. Instead, it’s a complex, chronic pain disorder that requires medical attention to relieve symptoms and improve quality of life. 

2. Myth: Fibromyalgia only affects older women

It’s true that fibromyalgia primarily affects women — at least 80% of people diagnosed with fibromyalgia are women. However, this doesn’t mean that men are immune. Worldwide, millions of men are diagnosed with fibromyalgia, as well.

What’s more, while fibromyalgia is more common in middle age and tends to increase with age, young people can have fibromyalgia, too, and so can kids. 

3. Myth: Fibromyalgia is the same as arthritis

Fibromyalgia symptoms can be easily confused with arthritis: Both conditions cause musculoskeletal pain and tenderness. 

The main difference is arthritis affects your joints, causing pain, swelling, and inflammation in and around the joints. Fibromyalgia causes widespread pain that can happen almost anywhere in your body. 

While you might have joint pain with fibromyalgia, this condition doesn’t cause joint destruction like arthritis. Both conditions respond best to early treatment, but because arthritis and fibromyalgia affect your body in different ways, they require different types of treatment to find relief and prevent complications. 

4. Myth: Complete rest is the best way to manage fibromyalgia

When your body aches, the last thing you probably feel like doing is getting up and moving. However, the fact is, regular exercise can play an essential role in releasing discomfort and managing fibromyalgia over time. 

The American College of Rheumatology recommends regular exercise as part of any fibromyalgia management plan. Exercise can help reduce painful symptoms and improve sleep and energy levels. The key is to start with gentle exercise and focus on low-impact activities, like walking and swimming.

5. Myth: There is no treatment for fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia may not have a cure (yet), but there are plenty of treatments available that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Our team recommends a multifaceted approach to treatment incorporating medications, lifestyle changes, and other therapies tailored to each individual. 

Depending on your needs, your plan might include pain medication, antidepressants, anti-seizure medicines to reduce muscle spasms, physical therapy, or acupuncture. We can also help you find support for cognitive issues, like the brain fog that often accompanies fibromyalgia. 

Early management is critical

Fibromyalgia is a chronic medical condition and benefits from early, active management. The sooner you start a customized management plan, the sooner you can feel better and enjoy an enhanced quality of life.

To learn more about fibromyalgia and the treatment plans that can help you, request an appointment online or over the phone with the Advanced Medical Care team in the Forest Hills area of Queens, and Brighton Beach, Brooklyn, in New York City, New York.